Once part of heaven had touched the earth ...

This afternoon we walked from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey - 

Our path took us past woods of pine then beech -

Three rooks flew above a ripening wheat field - 

Penelope taught me the names of the wildflowers we saw - 

That's Rosebay Willowherb she said - that's Herb Robert - 

We crossed a high arched stone bridge over a clear river - 

The abbey lay in a deep valley, under the ancient sky - 

Dorothy Wordsworth had once come here - 

William had hurried her away - 

Standing in the roofless nave, we were aware of what the poet's sister had seen and felt - 

Once part of heaven had touched the earth - 

14.01

Saturday 22 July 2017

Rievaulx Abbey

Yorkshire